Education Must Not Suffer: Peter Obi Slams Neglect of Medical Students in Public Universities

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has urged Nigerian leaders across all levels to prioritize education and citizen welfare, cautioning that students must not bear the brunt of failed leadership.

In a statement shared on his verified X handle on Saturday, Obi voiced deep concern over the growing challenges faced by medical and dental students in public universities. He highlighted that these issues, through no fault of the students, are jeopardizing their academic progress.

Referencing his recent visit to the Faculty of Dental Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Obi said he received disturbing updates about the University of Calabar (UNICAL), where administrative issues surrounding student graduation and induction quotas have caused significant distress.

He acknowledged the assurance from the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, who pledged to address the matter, and expressed optimism about a timely resolution. “Regardless of the cause, it’s unacceptable for students to suffer due to leadership shortcomings,” Obi stated. “We must prioritize education, particularly in critical areas like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).”

Obi stressed the importance of ensuring students in such essential fields complete their studies on schedule, without being hindered by institutional failures or bureaucratic delays.

Reflecting on his time as Governor of Anambra State, Obi recalled inheriting a similar crisis when the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria shut down the medical school at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University due to the absence of a teaching hospital. With students at risk of losing years of study, he personally intervened, committing to and successfully constructing a teaching hospital — now the Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital in Awka — within 18 months, thus saving the school’s accreditation and the students’ futures.

He appealed to the Federal Government to urgently support UNICAL, both financially and institutionally, enabling its leadership to resolve the ongoing crisis swiftly. “The Vice Chancellor and her team must be fully empowered to act decisively so no student is left behind due to circumstances beyond their control,” Obi stated.

He concluded with a broader call for Nigeria to renew its focus on strengthening the education and healthcare sectors, warning against the continued misallocation of national resources. “We cannot let our children keep losing their future in this country,” he warned.